Are "keep off lawn" signs obnoxious?

[y4m]

Neighbor dogs have destroyed the outside edge of my lawn. Like I have a nice green healthy lawn up until 3 feet from the sidewalk, and then that outer strip is completely dead in big round patches. The lawn is maintained by HOA gardeners, but there doesn't seem to be much they can do. And this morning there is a big diarrheal dump in the middle of the lawn, which is newly prompting me to do something about this.

I'm debating getting a small "Keep off the Lawn" type sign--ideally something classier than a big white traffic-type sign (or god forbid, the ones that actually show a dog squatting on them).  I don't hate dogs, and would have no problem with dogs using our lawn if it was 1. Cleaned up and 2. Not obviously destroying the lawn.  At the same time, as a dog owner, I've always kind of rolled my eyes at these signs, so I don't want to be that person whose grass is so precious it can never be touched by pawed feet.  But it's dead.  DEAD.

Can I get a sign without being that neighbor?

[y4m]

Photo evidence--sideways, but you get the idea

[ohgillian]

They're obnoxious. But no more obnoxious than people letting their dogs pee in your yard.

[y4m]

HOA rules won't let us put up a fence, or I'd do that.

[gt7301b]

I don't really know what the point of the signs is. People who don't pick up their dog's shit are just assholes and a sign isn't going to change that. I can't control where my dog goes to the bathroom, but if I could I'd probably teach him to go in yards with a sign.

[ECB]

On one hand, for someone to leave something like that on your lawn, I don't know what a "keep of my lawn" sign is really going to do. I think most people who roll their eyes at those signs roll them because they'd never let their dog ruin someone else's lawn.

But, at the same time, I think I'd put one up - at least for a little while. Just to put the message out there that you're at your limit.

May not help, but then again... you never know.

[y4m]

I guess for me, I don't really have a problem with dogs peeing on lawns. But I wonder if these people are really internalizing the damage their dogs are causing? Honestly, I know it's mainly caused by one specific neighbor.

[ssmjlm]

Jan 2, 2014 9:30:31 GMT -5 y4m said:

HOA rules won't let us put up a fence, or I'd do that.

Could you put up one of the smaller vinyl style fences that are more decorative?  It would hopefully deter the owner.

I would probably put out a sign.  That's some major damage to the lawn and I'm a dog owner.

[Deleted]

The kind of person who lets their dog poop on your lawn without cleaning it up is not going to be the kind of person who is deterred by a small, discreet sign. Sorry. If it really, really bothers you, I think you will have to try to catch them in the act and then (politely) shame them into stopping.

[imojoebunny]

My neighbor here printed up some really funny ones. They have about 10 different ones they rotate. They have a dog, but they have a side yard that was becoming the toilet for every dog who walked by and it was pretty gross. Tacky or not, it was effective, and we all got a good laugh out of the signs.

We put up a fence at one of our house because the apartment building next door allows dogs, and they were constantly peeing in our postage stamp yard and flower beds. It made a big difference in improving the curb appeal of the house and the grass and flowers can grow again.

[krystee]

I would try a funny one so you get your point across without being THAT neighbor.

[y4m]

Jan 2, 2014 9:42:13 GMT -5 imojoebunny said:

My neighbor here printed up some really funny ones. They have about 10 different ones they rotate. They have a dog, but they have a side yard that was becoming the toilet for every dog who walked by and it was pretty gross. Tacky or not, it was effective, and we all got a good laugh out of the signs. 

Can you share some examples?

[Velvetshady]

I'd vote for putting up rotating funny signs. Something like "Help! I'm drowning in dog piss!--signed, The Lawn" or "I've been put on a water only diet but the doctor. Psst, can you slip me some MiracleGrow? --signed The Lawn". But, be funnier that I am before my morning coffee, ok?

[Deleted]

In my experience, the signs don't work. If people are letting their dog pee in your yard, they'll likely continue to do so. Responsible owners would have their dog pee under the area of the sidewalk with the tree instead of on your lawn.

Since you can't do a fence, maybe a better long term solution is some kind of flower or planting bed with a raised stone/brick edging at the front of the yard. From the damage it looks like your neighbor has a female dog, so not giving her flat space to squat should make your yard less desirable.

[msmerymac]

We used to have a neighbor with a "please curb your dog" sign. It's fine. I mean, of all the lawns on the street, that's the one I definitely wouldn't let my dog pee on.

And major eyerolls to anyone complaining they can't control where their dog goes. You don't let the dog onto the lawn, period. It appears you have a small grass patch where that tree is across the sidewalk. They can use that.

[Deleted]

Jan 2, 2014 10:03:02 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

And major eyerolls to anyone complaining they can't control where their dog goes. You don't let the dog onto the lawn, period. It appears you have a small grass patch where that tree is across the sidewalk. They can use that.

Yep, I always walk my dogs so I'm between them and the front yards. They do their business on the street side of the sidewalk always, the small strip on that side is town owned. I also have boys, so they are usually just marking, which doesn't do as much damage since they pee like 10 drops at a time.

[y4m]

Jan 2, 2014 9:59:50 GMT -5 @ameliapond said:

Since you can't do a fence, maybe a better long term solution is some kind of flower or planting bed with a raised stone/brick edging at the front of the yard. From the damage it looks like your neighbor has a female dog, so not giving her flat space to squat should make your yard less desirable.

We have a really really strict HOA--like to the point that I am debating whether the sign itself would be acceptable.  I really can't change the area physically at all.

[MixedBerryJam]

Given the condition of the edge of your lawn I'd go to the next HOA meeting ETA: with this photo and request a waiver to put up a small, temporary fence until the grass recovers. And I'd probably seed that strip with a particularly hardy type of grass seed. Or, maybe request that you be allowed to replace that unhealthy strip with mulch or gravel or something. Signed, someone who's never had to deal with a HOA, so I have no idea if these ideas would work.

[barefootcontessa]

Someone is our neighborhood has a sign with a dog squatting that reads "not here please." I am thinking of putting one up. I have little kids who play in our yard and I worry about them contracting something, even with vigilant hand washing. I would try for some more on the cute side.

[y4m]

My lawn is some of the only lawn on our block (but there's also a big park across the street), but yeah there are also the small spots of land where the trees are growing.

[my4girls]

Jan 2, 2014 9:32:10 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I don't really know what the point of the signs is. People who don't pick up their dog's shit are just assholes and a sign isn't going to change that. I can't control where my dog goes to the bathroom, but if I could I'd probably teach him to go in yards with a sign.

Seriously?  ^o) You CAN not let your dog on other people's lawn and someone asking you keep your dog off their property isn't really out of line here- that lawn looks really bad 

[Deleted]

I changed my vote after I saw the picture. If there's that much damage then this is someone who either doesn't realize their dog is doing it or thinks it's perfectly fine. I'd put a sign up in your case.

I used to live in an area of my town with a lot of centuries old townhomes that have small lawns. One homeowner lined their entire garden in plastic forms with the tines sticking up. That's always an option!

[mbcdefg]

If people are careless and lazy enough to let their dog crap on someone else's lawn, and especially if they won't pick it up, then I doubt a sign is going to make them change their ways.

Is it possible that the neighbors aren't even walking their dogs? We've had/have neighbors that just open the door and let their dog roam the neighborhood for 20 minutes to shit and play in traffic rather than taking the time to walk them. Assholes.

[barefootcontessa]

Jan 2, 2014 9:32:10 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I don't really know what the point of the signs is. People who don't pick up their dog's shit are just assholes and a sign isn't going to change that. I can't control where my dog goes to the bathroom, but if I could I'd probably teach him to go in yards with a sign.

really?  you would deliberately have your dog pee somewhere where the owner has a sign?  why do you think it is okay to allow your animal to use other people's yards to relieve themselves?  you can see how her lawn has been destroyed by people having their dogs pee there.  

[Velvetshady]

Jan 2, 2014 9:32:10 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I don't really know what the point of the signs is. People who don't pick up their dog's shit are just assholes and a sign isn't going to change that. I can't control where my dog goes to the bathroom, but if I could I'd probably teach him to go in yards with a sign.

Damn, your house must stink then. Or do you not let them inside?

[gt7301b]

Jan 2, 2014 10:17:30 GMT -5 barefootcontessa said:

Jan 2, 2014 9:32:10 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I don't really know what the point of the signs is. People who don't pick up their dog's shit are just assholes and a sign isn't going to change that. I can't control where my dog goes to the bathroom, but if I could I'd probably teach him to go in yards with a sign.

really?  you would deliberately have your dog pee somewhere where the owner has a sign?  why do you think it is okay to allow your animal to use other people's yards to relieve themselves?  you can see how her lawn has been destroyed by people having their dogs pee there.  

If dogs don't go in people's yards where do you expect them to go?  Even if I let him out in my yard before we go for a walk my dog always goes again at some point during the walk.

[gt7301b]

Jan 2, 2014 10:18:55 GMT -5 Velvetshady said:

Jan 2, 2014 9:32:10 GMT -5 gt7301b said:

I don't really know what the point of the signs is. People who don't pick up their dog's shit are just assholes and a sign isn't going to change that. I can't control where my dog goes to the bathroom, but if I could I'd probably teach him to go in yards with a sign.

Damn, your house must stink then. Or do you not let them inside?

I meant when we are on walks.  My dog is potty trained and doesn't go inside the house, but outside is pretty much free reign.

[y4m]

Jan 2, 2014 10:22:22 GMT -5 @publius said:

The lawn wasn't like that when you bought it, right? I'm curious to know how the previous owners kept this from happenning. Did the person with the do move in right about when you guys did?

This is new construction and a new community--so we all moved in together basically.

[maddiepaddy]

Jan 2, 2014 9:35:25 GMT -5 y4m said:

Honestly, I know it's mainly caused by one specific neighbor.

If you know who the main offender is, it might work best to address them directly. If they're oblivious to the damage, they will be oblivious to the sign unless they're directly called out. 

[Deleted]

I do not permit my dog to go to the bathroom in other's yards - she uses the curb strip or a side walk depending on what's available on the street (she is 6 lbs) both of which are promptly/fully cleaned up.

I saw one guy let his dog go into my flower beds to go....I gave him death stare. Just because we're dog people doesn't mean I want Random Dog peeing/etc. in my yard or flower beds.